TOP TIPS FOR SPICE STORAGE
If you wish to create dishes that are abundant with fabulous flavours and beautiful aromas, then the addition of herbs and spices is essential. Dried spices will last for a while, and although they do not spoil they can lose colour and flavour over time, leading to less than perfect cuisine; which nobody wants.
In order to ensure that you create dishes with the optimum flavour you must store your spices correctly, so here are our top tips for spice storage.
What’s the Shelf Life for Unopened Spices?
Most unopened spices have a long shelf life of between 2-3 years, although this will vary depending on the specific spice. Whole spices such as peppercorns and cloves last longer than ground herbs such as paprika or chilli powder.
How Long do Spices Last Once they’re Opened?
Whole spices will last between 1-2 years once their packaging has been opened. However, ground spices should be used within 6-9 months or their flavour will begin to fade.
Spice Storage Tips
·Keep spices away from intense heat. Intense heat and steam can cause caking in ground spices, and flavour loss in dried spices due to dehydration.
·Keep spices and herbs away from sunlight or direct lighting as this will cause colour loss. Although this will not cause damage to the flavour, it will cause dishes to look undesirable – especially if used as a garnish.
·Keep spice containers closed tightly.
·Never dip wet spoons into spice containers as this will cause clumping.
·If you have used certain spices for a while make sure that you check them; ensure that the spices look fresh and the colours have not faded. Smell each container. If there is a lack of an aroma then this is a sign that the spice is past its freshness. Some whole spices such as cinnamon sticks will not have an aroma until crushed or chopped, so just check before usage.
Herbs and spices are essential to every household, and although they last for a while you need to ensure that you store them correctly to be certain that you get the best out of them every time. So when you’re experimenting in the kitchen, make sure that you take care to follow the above spice storage tips to create the most delicious dishes that will affect all of the senses.
If you’re looking to buy Indian spices then have a browse through our website here at Shop Spicy. We have plenty of dried herbs and spices that will surely bring your meals to life!
For more information with regards to any of the products we stock, please give us a call on 0161 339 4744 or contact us through Twitter or email.
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